Tom Clarke Digital Media

OVER THE RAINBOW

For over the rainbow I decided to follow the opposite path to the usual one and decided to follow the concept of the 'false rainbow.' My composite shows that often people spend their whole life searching for their 'rainbow' sometimes only to find that this rainbow does not exist. Within the composite there are two subtle photos of my own, one of which is my hands hanging off the cliff, and the other being my hand, manipulated to be on fire. There is also an illustration of a neon sign included in the composite.

HOW THE WEST WAS WON

After much deliberation it was decided to take this composite literal and show the old west. The Indian symbols in the stars represent the winning of the west as the various 'cowboy' western pictures roaming the desert shows that the cowboys have won and the Indians have lost, or are 'in the stars.' My own photos included are the cactus', taken in a garden near my home and the cowboy hat sitting in the sand. There is also my own illustration included with the rattlesnake in the sand.

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE

'Stitch in time' was probably the hardest for me. After long consideration I came up with a concept. I eventually decided to use the words metaphorically with 'NINE' stitched into a persons arm with a watch representing 'time.' My own photos included are the hand and the knife.

BETTER TO BURN OUT THAN FADE AWAY

For this composite I decided to take a literal approach again. I decided to experiment using very subtle symbols and imagery to convey my message whilst leaving the main image very open and empty. The subject is a homeless man obvious on first look by the cardboard box and depressed stance in which he is sitting. On further look one notices the guitar and case, thus suggesting the man is a musician. On further inspection the viewer notices the concert poster put up and down the wall past the man and the 'authorized access only' sign, suggesting that the place we are looking at is in fact a concert venue. After taking all the subtle hints into consideration the viewer is led to believe that the man is a musician that has 'faded away' instead of burning out. My own photographs that were included is the picture of the guitar, owned by my friend that is very battered and worn, and the picture of one the posters, taken from a show of my own and cut out and stuck into the composite. There is also an illustration of my own placed in the composite of a beer bottle.

THE EYE OF THE TORNADO

For this composite it was again decided to take it very literal and after much consideration a picture was taken of myself with my arms thrusted out and mouth wide open. I used a picture taken by myself of The Rock and placed myself in it, as well as manipulated the sky to appear as if there was a storm. Through the use of photoshop brushes I created lightning coming from my hands and a tornado coming from my mouth. The composite displays a very literal and fantastical representation of the common saying.